mull

"ponder," 1873, perhaps from a figurative use of Middle English mullyn "grind to powder, pulverize," from molle "dust, ashes, rubbish" (c.1300), probably from Middle Dutch mul "grit, loose earth," related to mill (n.1). But Webster's (1879) defined it as "to work steadily without accomplishing much," which may connect it to earlier identical word in athletics sense of "to botch, muff" (1862). Related: Mulled; mulling.

"sweeten, spice and heat a drink," c.1600, of unknown origin, perhaps from Dutch mol, a kind of white, sweet beer, or from Flemish molle a kind of beer, and related to words for "to soften." Related: Mulled; mulling.

n.

"promontory" (in Scottish place names), late 14c., perhaps from Old Norse muli "a jutting crag, projecting ridge (between two valleys)," which probably is identical with muli "snout, muzzle." The Norse word is related to Old Frisian mula, Middle Dutch mule, muul, Old High German mula, German Maul "muzzle, mouth." Alternative etymology traces it to Gaelic maol "brow of a hill or rock," also "bald," from Old Celtic *mailo-s (cf. Irish maol, Old Irish máel, máil, Welsh moel).

Mull

second largest island of the Inner Hebrides group, in the Argyll and Bute council area, historic county of Argyllshire, Scotland. Mull lies off the western coast of the Scottish mainland across the Sound of Mull and the Firth of Lorn. The island is mountainous-reaching an elevation of 3,169 feet (966 metres) at Ben More-and its coastline is deeply indented. Granite is quarried on Mull, and the island's limited farmland is predominantly devoted to sheep and cattle grazing. There are several ancient castles, including Aros and Duart. Tobermory, the largest settlement on Mull, was founded in 1788 as a fishing village. It is now a summer resort. Mull is connected to the mainland by ferry. Pop. (2001) 2,696.